No matter where we stand on the political spectrum, most of us will agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the characteristics common to all crises, lasting longer and hurting more deeply than we ever imagined, while exposing more weaknesses than we ever expected. The most pressing of these weaknesses are the challenges caused by the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues that were significant before the pandemic and are even more acute now.
While the crisis brought daunting realities to the foreground, it also presents a timely opportunity for the corporate world. The enormity of ESG-related challenges calls for a comprehensive strategy and broad-based coalition of support. Most importantly, those challenges demand a new kind of leadership, one provided by the private sector, which is uniquely positioned to offer the capital, innovation, and organizational agility necessary to solve the critical ESG issues of our time.
Now is the time for companies to collectively engage in authentic stakeholder capitalism. Our firm views our business as one that serves the interests of everyone with a stake in the well-being of the enterprise, a perspective that aligns with the higher purpose expressed in our firm’s mission: securing a sustainable future for our clients, our people, and our world. This mission has been embraced within our organization and is in keeping with the goals of all corporate leaders who embrace stakeholder capitalism. The experience of the past year-and-a-half has shown us that, as global corporate citizens, leaders in the private sector can work together to build meaningful lives through initiatives focused on ESG issues.
Charting a New Course
Like many organizations, we had undertaken a range of ESG-focused initiatives prior to the pandemic. However, the crucial issues of the last 19 months helped us accelerate our progress and chart a new course that serves all stakeholders, guided by our commitment to leading on issues, taking a global perspective, and having the courage to speak out. It is my hope that the direction we have taken may inform other firms as they move forward on their own journeys.
Forward-thinking corporate leaders recognize that inclusion and diversity drive innovation and produce better results for all stakeholders.
A Sustainable Future for Clients
As an active global asset manager, we invest over $250 billion in assets on behalf of our clients. We have integrated ESG factors into our investment processes to inform our fundamental research, shape our perspectives, and deliver proprietary insights. In addition, we actively engage with companies as owner and lender to create positive impact for all stakeholders. Each of these efforts is reviewed at the most senior level of the organization to ensure that our commitment to driving change aligns with our goal of delivering excellent performance for our clients.
A Sustainable Future for Employees
We entered the pandemic with a culture that is principles-based, performance-oriented, and purpose-driven. This environment enabled our employees to thrive by empowering them to perform at the highest level, build meaningful careers, enhance their well-being, and make their voices heard. In addition, forward-thinking corporate leaders recognize that inclusion and diversity drive innovation and produce better results for all stakeholders. As a global corporate citizen of the future, we are committed to inspiring our employees to reach their full potential, deliver an exceptional client experience, and make a meaningful impact on our global communities.
A Sustainable Future for the World
We are advancing our world by engaging with our local communities, using our voice on global issues, and driving change to benefit our planet. Guided by our higher purpose, we focus our efforts on the areas of climate, equity, and well-being through engagement, volunteerism, and financial support. We seek to amplify those efforts through partnerships with corporate leaders and charitable organizations that align with our mission and values, and we look forward to being a leader in a collective effort to create transformative global change. We are proud of the course we have charted and our progress on the journey of global corporate citizenship, but we realize there is much work ahead for all of us. The private sector has a rare opportunity to engage and empower a new generation of leaders who are committed to securing a sustainable future for clients, employees, and the world we share. Together, we can build meaningful lives for all.